Paula Abdul’s “American Idol” seat is no longer vacant.

Emmy-winning TV host and former actress Ellen DeGeneres will be taking over Abdul’s familiar spot come ninth season of “American Idol,” this, she announced on her talk show “Ellen” on Thursday.

DeGeneres, who has always been outspoken about being a huge fan of “Idol” said on her show: “I have a big announcement to make. No one knows this. I just finally got the OK... just moments ago to announce this to you today... I am going to be the new judge on ‘American Idol.’”

She added that the new task is like having two jobs “a day job and a night job.” She continued, “The times we’re living in, we’re all doing that.”

Abdul has been replaced by a number of guest judges during the audition phase of the competition, which starts airing in January. Among those who were asked to guest-judge are Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Katy Perry and Shania Twain while DeGeneres, 51, will be taking over the job full-time during “Idol’s” Hollywood round.

The TV host also hinted on how her role would take shape on “Idol.” “Hopefully, I’m the people’s point of view because I’m just like you,” she said. “I sit at home and I watch it, and I don’t have that technical... I’m not looking at it in a critical way from the producer’s mind. I’m looking at it as a person who is going to buy the music and is going to relate to that person.”

According to reports from Access Hollywood, “Idol” creator and executive producer Simon Fuller is ecstatic over the news. “I could not be more excited to have Ellen join the ‘American Idol’ family. Ellen has been a fan of the show for many years, and her love of music and understanding of the American public will bring a unique human touch to our judging panel. I can’t wait for this next season to begin.”

“Idol” executive producer and FremantleMedia North America CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz said more welcoming words for DeGeneres. Frot-Coutaz told in a statement, “Beyond her incredible sense of humor and love of music, she brings with her an immense warmth and compassion that is almost palpable. She is one of America’s foremost entertainers, and we cannot wait to have her join our team.”

“American Idol” has been trying to shake up its recent season when the producers added songwriter Kara DioGuardi following initial buzz that Abdul’s “Idol” journey was about to end. But Abdul remained for one more season.

One of TV’s most hilarious personalities, DeGeneres is expected to show up and just do what she does best (Read: on-target punch lines) beside other “Idol” judges Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest.